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Any NFL team that is looking for a quarterback — and some that aren’t — has been asked about the potential of signing Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning. So it didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary when Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel was asked about his interest in the future hall of famer.

This isn’t Crennel’s first rodeo and he started his answer with a qualifier. But did he say too much?

“I’m not supposed to talk about anyone else’s players. He’s still a player with Indianapolis. But with a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he were available. I’ll leave it at that.”

Without specifically repeating his name, did Crennel still tamper with Manning? If you look at the NFL rules (courtesy of The Star), he did.

“Any public or private statement of interest, qualified or unqualified, in another club’s player to that player’s agent or representative, or to a member of the news media, is a violation of this Anti-Tampering Policy. (Example of a prohibited comment: “He’s an excellent player, and we’d very much like to have him if he were available, but another club holds his rights.”)”

That example pretty much sums up exactly the comment from the Chiefs head coach.

I’m not totally convinced, however, the league is going to go after Crennel. If only because taking a draft pick away from every team that has answered a Manning question this offseason would impact half of the league.

No matter what happens this time around, you can bet GM Scott Pioli had a quick word with Crennel. With the Chiefs lack of activity on the free agent market, they can’t afford to be giving away draft picks.